After one of the fastest spawning runs on record, Sturgeon Guard 2013 is a wrap

May 3, 2013

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Written by

Joanne M. Haas

Bureau of Law Enforcement

Talk about a whirlwind week for Conservation Warden April Dombrowski and members of the all-volunteer Sturgeon Guard.

Days ago, Warden Dombrowski of Winnebago County declared the slow-to-arrive spring had the sturgeons on stall mode for the highly anticipated spawning season. She cancelled the Sturgeon Guard shifts for April and called out for volunteers for shifts anticipated to be needed until mid-May.

Then, a day or two after she made that decision, the sudden spring warm-up hit over last weekend, heating the river to the point that ignited the sturgeon spawning season. The big fish took off with a flurry of activity along the Wolf River. Sturgeon Guard shift members were called to report to Fish Camp to be quickly assembled to patrol the spawning areas to keep the fish safe.

That was three-and-one-half days ago. And, it was constant heavy activity -- that just stopped a few hours ago.

"This has gone down as one of the fastest runs completed in a short period of time," Warden Dombrowski said late this afternoon. "On average, the run takes place for approximately seven to 10 days."

There still will be conservation wardens in the area for the remaining sturgeon spawning activity that may occur, she says.

"But, I am cancelling the Sturgeon Guard assignments at the close of today's shifts," Warden Dombrowski says. "I would like to thank everyone for your involvement and your dedication to the Sturgeon Guard program -- and the protection of our sturgeon for future generations. And, I'm looking forward to working with you in the future."